Lec 3: Interpersonal Events

Expression of strong emotion

• external displays of inner feelings

  • intensity beyond usual norms

  • reaction to task or therapist

• form of communication that invites therapist to respond

Intimate self-disclosures

• statements or stories that reveal unobservable, private, sensitive information about disclosing person

Power dilemmas

• Tension stemming from client’s loss or lack of power

• Natural power differential in therapeutic relationship at the beginning

Nonverbal cues

• Key participant for client-therapist communication

  • Subtle, fleeting language and gestural cues

  • Culturally-bound, with multiple interpretations

Crisis Points

• Unanticipated, stressful events

  • Distracts client or interferes with occupational engagement

Resistance and Reluctance

• Passive or active refusal to participate due to reasons linked to therapeutic relationship

• Disinclination towards therapy due to reasons outside of the therapeutic relationship

  • Symptom escalation

  • Task perceived to be too difficult or demanding

  • Pre-existing attitudes towards healthcare

  • Low self-esteem, depression

Boundary Testing

• • What to expect/not to expect from the therapist

    • Limitations of relationship on both ends

• Violates or asks the therapist to act in ways defined as outside the therapeutic relationship

Empathic Breaks

• Happens when therapists…

  • Fail to notice or understand a communication

  • Communicates or behaves in an insensitive manner

Emotionally charged therapy tasks and situations

• Activities or circumstances that lead clients to become overwhelmed or experience uncomfortable emotional reactions

• Loss of power or control

Limitations of therapy

• Restrictions of available or possible services, time, resources, or therapist actions

Contextual inconsistencies

• Any aspect of client’s interpersonal or physical environment that changes during course of therapy

• May pose challenges to the natural flow and routine of therapy